Ledbury Town 1 Ludlow Town Reserves 1

LUDLOW maintained a challenging fifth place in the West Midlands League Division 1 South table in spite of only managing to share the points at bottom club Ledbury Town Reserves.

The visitors almost took an early lead when a slick build-up saw Jamie Turpin put Simon Newhill free down the flank. He made ground and cut in only to see his rising shot from a narrow angle tipped over the bar by home goalkeeper Ian Hopkins.

Took the lead

Play was very even for the rest of the opening half but Newhill almost grabbed the lead for Ludlow Reserves in the closing seconds when his high ball into the box caught Hopkins napping but flew wide of the upright.

Ledbury took the lead in the 52nd minute following a dubious free kick just outside the box. Ludlow Reserves' goalkeeper Dominic Leech blocked the shot, but defender Stuart Richards' attempted clearance went straight to a home player who calmly hit the target with a curling shot into the top corner.

Ludlow were always threatening and got back on terms in the 60th minute when Andrew Mowen and Adam Bowen combined to set up Mick Duppa, who fired home from the edge of the box.

The visitors should have taken all three points but Andrew Stewardson dragged his shot wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.